Senior man is having doctor's visit at his home.
You have just finished talking to Mom on the phone, and have a feeling something isn’t completely right. Although it was a pleasant conversation, her lapses in memory were alarming. She assured you that she’s perfectly fine – that she is eating very well (even though she couldn’t remember what she had for lunch), taking her medications, and having no issue keeping abreast of the household chores. If you are taking care of elderly parents and aren’t fully convinced they are wholly safe and self-sustaining, a great first step is to schedule an in-home assessment from an established home care provider like Morning Glory Home Care, providers of home and dementia care in Edwardsville, Illinois and nearby areas. This allows a highly skilled, objective third party professional to speak with the senior in the comfort and familiarity of home, while assessing several critical areas.
The Older Adult’s Overall Wellbeing
Throughout the consultation, the home care expert will learn how the senior is feeling, both emotionally and physically.
- Is she or he bored or lonely?
- Physically active?
- Balanced and steady, or susceptible for a fall?
Additionally, cognitive health is considered.
- Is the senior forgetful?
- Are there concerns with wandering, aggression, agitation, confusion?
- Does she or he seem capable of successfully managing the household?
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
It’s essential for a senior living independently to be able to attend to daily tasks that fall under two categories: ADLs and IADLs.
ADLs include activities such as:
- Self-feeding
- Showering/bathing and other personal hygiene needs
- Getting dressed
- Using the toilet
- Moving from bed to chair and throughout the house independently
IADLs are less fundamental, but still vital to independent living, and include:
- Housekeeping
- Planning and preparing meals
- Running errands and shopping
- Taking medications as prescribed
- Making and receiving telephone calls
- Bill paying/money management
The Home Environment
The in-home consultant can also evaluate the older adult’s living space for any possible risks and hazards, such as:
- Issues that might contribute to a fall: clutter, low-lying furniture, or electric cords in the senior’s walking paths, stairways without proper handrails, no grab bars in the bathroom, loose throw rugs, and more
- If there are fresh foods available which are not past the expiration date, moldy, etc.
- Whether there are any signs of accidents, such as burn marks on the counters or scorched pots/pans
- Unopened mail piled up
- Dirty dishes stacked on the counters, or other signs of difficulty with maintaining the house to healthy standards
Based on the results of the assessment, the home care professional can create a customized care plan that will outline the ways an in-home caregiver can help overcome any difficulties being encountered. Often with just a little support, seniors can continue to live and thrive at home where it’s most comfortable, with enhanced safety to bring families peace of mind, while never sacrificing the senior’s freedom and independence.
Contact Morning Glory Home Care to set up for a free in-home consultation to learn more about taking care of elderly parents today! You can reach us any time at 618-667-8400 to learn more about our award-winning home and dementia care in Edwardsville, Illinois and the surrounding communities.